Arsenal's loan army for this season consisted of 29 players after the January transfer window closed and Mikel Arteta could look to repeat the theme this summer
As a big summer awaits Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar, it's safe to say outgoings will be just as important as incomings.
Of course, Patino has been part of this season's loan army which after the January transfer window closed consisted of 29 players including fellow youth players such as Marcelo Flores, Tim Akinola, Mika Biereth, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Tom Smith and Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Now, if the current campaign is any indication for next term's plans then Arteta and Edu in accordance with Academy manager Per Mertesacker will look to sanction a few loan deals in order to provide several of the club's most talented youngsters with a chance to get some first-team experience under their belts.
And one player who has already thrown his hat into the ring is defender Zane Monlouis. The teenager made 15 appearances for the U21s this season, captaining the side in the final four Premier League 2 fixtures, and has intimated that he's ready to take the next step in his career.
"For me personally, I'd like to get a loan," he revealed to the club's official website. "Come in for pre-season, just graft, even if I don't get a loan just continue grafting in the U21s, try to put in as good performances as I possibly can, but for me personally I want to try and get a loan as I feel like that's where my next step is."
It remains to be seen if Monlouis' request is granted but the signs do look good especially as Omar Rekik, Alex Kirk, Taylor Foran and Mazeed Ogungbo - all central defenders - were afforded the opportunity to go out on loan this season.
Now, should the 19-year-old get the green light to leave on loan, the earliest he can complete a deal is Wednesday June 14 as that's when the summer transfer window opens officially and he would be able to join a new club - but just as long as it's a team in England or Scotland.
Alternatively, Monlouis could wait until after Saturday, July 1 as that's when the international transfer window opens and he would be able to seal a move abroad.
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